The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects is a modern Livery Company. The Company promotes quality architecture in the City of London and the architectural profession globally, it supports education through awards and prizes as well as a range of charities related to the City.

It was was granted Livery status in 1988 and ranks ninety-eighth in the order of precedence for Livery Companies.

During 2016/17 the Company’s programme will focus on ‘Advancing Architecture: in our own Company, and out there in the World’.

Honorary Assistants

Assistants Emeritus

David Falla

James Walker

John Drake

Dorian Crone

Jeffrey Robertson

Jane Lamb

Deputy Master

Geoffrey Purves

Biographies

Master: Richard Brindley

Richard Brindley has 25 years experience as a qualified architect, working primarily in private architectural practice, specialising in practice management, project management and residential design/urban regeneration.He is former Executive Director of Professional Services for the Royal Institute of Architecture. Following training at the Bartlett School of Architecture (University College of London), he has worked in architectural practices in London. His roles have included Chief Architect for a major residential developer and Operations Director for a multi-disciplinary design practice.

He has been actively involved in developing the architectural profession and services, being Chairman of the London region of the RIBA from 1994-1996 and elected member of the RIBA Council from 1996-2001.

Renter Warden: Barry Munday

Barry’s career has been in housing and architecture. Initially with Powell and Moya and since 1973 with PRP ( Phippen Randall and Parkes) where he rose to the position of Chairman. Since leaving the practice in 2007 he has been involved in a number of industry wide roles including chairing the Recovery Task Force for RIBA/ACA , Design for Homes and The Housing Forum. His passion is for improving the quality of housing in the UK.

Upper Warden: Stephen Wagstaffe

Starting in 1965 he worked initially in private practice, joined the Greater London Council in 1971, spending 15 years designing, building and maintaining schools all over London before he moving to the DoE/PSA where he managed projects at the Tate Gallery, Department of Energy, Admiralty and the Royal Courts of Justice. His most important job was Phase 2 of the rebuilding work at Hampton Court Palace following the fire at Easter 1986.

He set up his own private practice in 1995 but also trained as a tour guide, specialising in the City of London and World War 1 & 2 battlefields.

A Liveryman since 2000 he currently chairs the Charity and Education Committee and is a Trustee of the Charitable Trust Fund. For the past 14 years he has managed the Company’s involvement with London Open House, an annual event when as many unusual and normally un-accessible buildings through out London are opened up to the public.

Junior Warden:

Valerie Owen Le Vaillant

History

The inaugural meeting of the Company of Chartered Architects was held in Guildhall in June 1984. The initiative was led by Stuart Murphy, at that time Chief Planning Officer to the Corporation of London.

One year later a properly constituted company was established and on 2 July 1985 the first Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants were elected.

The Company uses Temple bar, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, as its logo and the centrepiece of its coat of arms. The monument was the last surviving gateway into City until it was removed in 1878 to improve traffic flow along Fleet Street. The Company helped to secure its return and has worked with other companies to make sure that the room above the arch is useable for occasional events.

WHAT WE DO

Charities

The Company’s Charitable Trust was established in April 1987 to make grants to individuals and institutions. The income is from members’ donations and investment. The objects are the relief of poverty of persons, particularly those engaged in the profession of architecture and their dependents; the advancement of architectural education and research; to make awards to persons engaged in the profession; to further the advancement of architectural education; and make donations to any recognised charity.

The Trustees allocate a proportion of income to the Charity and Education Committee each year for disbursement. The committee awards Student travel Prizes, Team Build, Student Hardship, Student drawing Prizes, The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, Architects Benevolent Society, Sheriff’s and Recorder’s Fund.

Global Hub Project

As well as being a global leader for financial services, London is also the global hub for architecture and related professional services. Nearly all of the world leading and largest architect, engineering, surveying and property consultancies (UK and International) have a main base in London, working here on major projects across the globe. As well as London consultancies providing world renown architectural services around the world, the design expertise available in London attracts foreign investors, businesses and other professional services into London and the UK.

WCCA’s Global Hub initiative provides the link between the Lord Mayor’s office, The City of London Corporation, the RIBA and the UKTI to promote the City of London and UK Architects as world leaders in building design services.

Travel Award

The award provides an international travel grant to a student or group of students enrolled in a RIBA-validated Pt 2 course in a school of architecture in the Greater London Area. The object is for students to carry out researchers on a topic and in a location of their choice.

One or more awards of up to £2000 are made each year. The travel, which must take place outside the UK, will be conducted in no longer than two months and will take place during the summer holidays following completion of the first year of a Part 2 course and prior to enrolling in the second year of the course.

Successful applicants will be asked to produce a report of the project; this can be, but does not have to be, part of a dissertation. Awardees will be asked to provide one bound copy of the final report which will be kept in the British Architectural Library.

Enquiries: John Assael, Master of Students. johnassael@assael.co.uk

Education

The Company welcomes student members. In the tradition of the Livery, students are ‘bound’ to senior members of the Company who provide regular mentoring and advice.

NEWS

Jonathan and Victoria Ball Drawing Prize Winners 2016

The Winner of 2016 Part 1 drawing Prize was Jerome Ng of the Bartlett (above); the winner of Part 2 drawing prize Mohammed Juri (below). For more information see Blog pages.

New Ludgate is City Building of the Year

One New Ludgate designed by Fletcher Priest

New Ludgate, a new development by Land Securities designed by Fletcher Priest Architects and Sauerbruch Hutton, has been named as the The City of London Building of the Year 2016.

A special Livery Award was created to commend the new Leathersellers’ Hall designed by Eric Parry Architects and the refurbished Livery Hall for the Salters’ Company by dMFK by London Wall Place.

The Building of the Year award was presented at a special Livery dinner, attended by Sir Michael Hopkins, on 12 July at Haberdashers’ Hall.

The shortlist and winner was drawn up and selected by a jury chaired by Paul Finch, programme director of the World Architecture Festival. The criteria has been to seek out the buildings that support the ambitions of the City of London in delivering a world-class working environment, by evaluating both the quality of the architectural design and the impact the building has had on the city street scene.

Paul Finch said “The judges felt that an area of the City where you would not have wished to walk or linger has been transformed. An eyesore had been removed and a destination created, which through the skillful deployment of colour lifted both the eye and the spirit.”

Organised by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects (WCCA), the City of London Building of the Year, which allows members of the public to nominate a building of their choice, aims to recognise the extraordinary examples of contemporary architecture to be found in the City.

The Master of the WCCA Peter Murray commented: “The City of London is home to some very fine examples of contemporary architecture. We are keen to support good design and to encourage City businesses to do so in the future.”

The City of London Building of the Year Award is supported by sponsors including; Axa Real Estate, British Land, Brookfield, Cushman and Wakefield, Knight Frank, WRBC Development and Wordsearch.

The shortlisted schemes were:

100 Cheapside by Michael Aukkett Architects & EPR Architects

Motel One, 24-26 Minories by Mackay and Partners

70 Mark Lane by Bennetts Associates

St Dunstan’s House, 133-137 Fetter Lane by HLM

Roman House, Wood Street by The Manser Practise

St Bartholomew’s Hospital by HOK

Company appoints New Clerk

Jonathan Soar, Clerk

Jonathan’s career has spanned thirty years in Information Technology. After graduating from City University with a BSc (Honours) in Philosophy and Economics, he trained as a software engineer before moving into sales.

Jonathan ran his own City-based company for 13 years, which specialised in writing bespoke software systems for international investment banks and providing IT consultancy services.

He has worked as a consultant, mentor and is a qualified executive coach.

Most recently he was Director Investor Relations at the technology merchant bank, Restoration Partners.

Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists in 2011/12, Jonathan is passionate about the City of London, its history and traditions, and, not least, its architecture (from a layman’s perspective).

Jonathan married Sarah in 1988 and they have two daughters; Emily has just graduated in Spanish from Edinburgh University; Sophie is about to start her final year reading English Literature at Manchester University. Sarah is Head of Investment Management at JM Finn.

Jonathan likes walking, sailing, tennis, horse-riding, shooting and occasionally singing (tenor). Rugby Union is another interest, although watching these days rather than playing, which he enjoyed for many years as a second-row forward at London Scottish. He speaks fluent French.

Company member is new Chief Guide

Valerie le Vaillant (Owen)

Architect and WCCA member Valerie Owen has been appointed as Girlguiding’s most senior volunteer. She took up the role of Chief Guide on 28 May; she is known in the Guiding world by her married name of Valerie Le Vaillant.

Valerie is committed to widening access to Girlguiding – and welcoming more girls from all backgrounds.

As Chief Guide, Valerie also aims to encourage many more girls into careers in architecture and the built environment. She has been involved in guiding her whole life. She believes her guiding experience has been instrumental in helping her build a hugely positive career, and is calling for more businesses to recognize the skills girls develop through outdoors learning and community education programmes in guiding.

“I firmly believe that girls can do anything – given the right confidence, self-belief and support and the opportunity to have amazing fun and incredible adventures along the way,” she says. “Being Chief Guide of the leading charity for girls and women, provides the perfect opportunity to encourage more girls into architecture and the built environment, in collaboration with the WCCA.

Master, Peter Murray, said: ‘Valerie Owen will be an outstanding Chief Guide, and WCCA looks forward to working with her closely over the next five years to encourage more girls and women to become architects.’

In 2001 Valerie was awarded an OBE for service to ‘architecture, and the community in East London’. In December 2009 she was made a Cabinet Office Ambassador to help champion equality and diversity in Ministerial/Public Appointments, and in 2015, she won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in the National Women in Construction Awards.

Livery Schools Link

In March over 600 students from 25 schools across London went to Guildhall to chat to architects, shipwrights and saddlemakers, computer technologists and medical students to find out more about potential careers in the wide variety of trades and professions in the Livery.

Jerry Tate of Tate Harmer looked after the WCCA stand with assistance from the office and the company. Students had a go at designing and produced some elegant results.

The Livery Showcase Event, now held annually, is an event for Companies to engage with students inspiring them to consider career paths and job opportunities in the skills they represent.

Annual Banquet at Goldsmith’s Hall

The Annual Banquet, the Company’s most significant event of the year, was held in Goldsmith’s Hall on February 26 with Thomas Heatherwick as guest speaker. There were some 240 members and guests present, with a carpet guard of Orpington Sea Cadets and the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers; music was provided by the Honorable Artillery Company Band.

The Lord Mayors’ Show 2015

The Senior Warden, Liveryman Leif Martinez and the Master in the Lord Mayor’s Parade

City Building of the Year Award

The Leadenhall Building, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and developed by British Land and Oxford Properties, is the winner of the The City of London Building of the Year Award 2015.

The award is organised by the Company. Anyone can nominate a building that meets the award’s criteria – members of the public, occupiers, developers as well as architects. There is no charge for entries.

The jury look for buildings that support the ambitions of the City of London in delivering a world class environment for business. They assess the quality of the architectural design as well as the impact the building has on the city street scene. Buildings may be new or refurbished and they should have been completed in the previous two years.

The Award is supported by Axa Real Estate, British Land, Brookfield , Cushman and Wakefield, Knight Frank, Land Securities , WRBC Development and Wordsearch.

Two Ludgate designed by Sauerbruch Hutton

TRIUMPHAL ARCH COMPETITION

Winning design for Triumphal Arch

A Triumphal Arch designed by Chris Dyson, Tom Atkinson and Petra Topsy Kustrin of Chris Dyson Architects has won the ideas competition organised by The Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects (WCCA).

The competition celebrates The Queen’s service as Britain’s longest reigning monarch. On 9th September 2015 she will overtake Queen Victoria who reigned for a total of 63 years, seven months and two days.

The roof deck of the winning arch is a viewing platform and raised peace garden. Engraved inscriptions on the floor beneath the arch celebrate the important events in The Queen’s life and reign.

The runner up was Leon Fenster with a design formed of 173 interlocking canopies, one for each of the Queen’s commonwealth visits since 1952.